oscqc

I had a recent operation in which they replaced my entire right shoulder joint - ball and socket. I am undergoing a lot of painful physiotherapy and I am getting more movement and hope to get it to 100% by the summer. I have a brand new RX450h and am having a lot of trouble doing up the driver's seatbelt. I either have to remove my overcoat and suit jacket or else open the door and lean way out so I can reach back to fasten the seatbelt latch. (Its too cold here in Canada for that!!) Apparently Lexus sells an extension (something like what is used on airplanes for heavy passengers) but you have to need 7 inches of extension before they will sell it to you, and I only need 3-4 inches. Does anyone have any experience or ideas? Perhaps I should either put on 100 pounds or simply lie to Lexus.

kitlz

According to the owner's manual, Lexus will provide an extender free of charge. I would ask the dealer to give you one. They shouldn't ask why but if they do, make something up. Frankly it's none of their business.

Good luck with your recovery and therapy.

wyau01

Maybe this will help.

oscqc

Thanks for the comments. I have now received it and it helps my problem considerably. The service manager who measured me told me that it would be delivered within 48 hours. After 5 days, I called him to see where it was. He then admitted that it had not been ordered because he had forgotten to have me sign the form and was too embarrased to tell me. I raised hell with the dealership. I was not angry about the mistake in not having me sign the form, since anyone can make a mistake, but in his not notifying me so I could come in and sign the form so he could order it. His lack of candor caused me about another week of pain whenever I fastened the seat belt due to my shoulder problem. As a matter of interest, the RX 450h is not mentioned in the Technical Service Bulletin as being a model for which the part is available, which struck me as odd.

kitlz

oscqc, that's great you finally got the extender and it's helping. As for the service manager, well, that's why I only deal with one or two people at my dealer. Very unprofessional. The extender was mentioned in the 450h owner's manual, not sure why it wasn't in the TSB. Anyway, you're all set. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

Redthumb

The kind of bureaucracy, shown in the pdf, that is required to obtain a simple seat belt extender could just put me off of any Lexus purchase permanently.

whatyoon

Recently I had new born son and needed to install convertible seat (Britax Clicktight) for my car. But seat belt was too short. I called local Lexus dealer (New port California) and contact part/service manager. They asked me the length and ordered for me free of charge. Also, it approximately arrive in 5 business day to pick it up. Thanks to @kitlz giving awesome information. I owe you beer. ;D.

riredale

I think what the pdf shows instead is the American legal system running on full afterburner. Lexus and its dealers don't want to be hit with a $5,000,000 judgement when some jury somewhere decides that it was the inappropriate use of the extender that contributed to the injury.